Bight whale numbers close to record

The number of whales seen off the far west coast of South Australia this season has been close to a record.

Numbers at the Head of the Bight have reached 130 - most of them mothers and calves.

Marine park manager Saras Kumar says it is also pleasing that whales are being seen around the whole of lower Eyre Peninsula.

"That's been really good news as well to have whales around Port Lincoln even as well and I think from what we've been recording it has been the largest number seen in recent years, so hopefully that will continue to happen," he said.